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Summary: Bryson does Britain
Review: Bill Bryson is usually known for books that provoke an uncontrollable urge to laugh out loud while reading them. That's certainly true of "A Walk in the Woods" where Bryson and a bibulous friend try manfully to hike the Appalacian Trail. It's not so true in "Notes from a Small Island."Bryson doesn't have his hapless friend Katz along on this jaunt, a walking trip through Great Britain. But his sense of humor is intact and his eye sharp for local foibles. My favorite observation was actually his description of the boundless joy the British express when presented with a steaming hot cup of tea. "Ah, lovely..." At the fifth repetition of this, you begin to appreciate Bryson's description of the British people and their funny rules, such as one that applies to public paths (you can cut right through anything that lies on a public way, and Bryson struts through some remarkable places exercising this right.) He takes the predictable potshots at British Rail and the propensity for tearing down quaint buildings and putting up steel and concrete monstrosities, a trait that Americans seem to share with their British progenitors; I myself felt strangely at home in Birmingham--it could have been any American city except for driving on the wrong side of the road. While this book was not as scream-with-laughter funny as "Walk in the Woods", it had its moments. If you are a Bryson fan you might be a bit disappointed as this books is a bit subdued compared to his others. And Katz is nowhere to be found. But if you don't require to be entertained every single page, you probably will find this an amusing book. I did.
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Summary: Now then, I'm British...
Review: ...and I could hardly stop laughing at this book. I'm assuming the book is the same: the British copy I have has a differnt cover. I have lived in Britain all my life (though I did go to Florida for 2 weeks once!!!) and Brysons insights in this book did ring true. There is so much that is wrong with this country, and yet somehow that makes it right. We wouldn't be British if we could organise things. This book is very witty right the way through, and, I hope, does give you, the Americans, an insight into mine, and everyone elses Britain. What a book. What a country!?
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable!
Review: I recently returned from a 10 day visit to England to visit my daughter and, of course, that was not long enough. A few days ago I needed a book-on-tape for a trip to PA. and spied "Notes from a Small Island" in my local library. My trip to PA was a 5 disc trip. I am now traveling back and forth to my office listening to the other 5 discs. The book is delightful. Bill Bryson mentions some of the British culture that my daughter and I giggle about because 'tis true! I need to return to visit some of the places that Mr. Bryson mentions. I feel lucky to have found and listened to the book.
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Summary: A must for the Britain bound!
Review: Bill Bryson has a way with words that keeps your attention in an extremely pleasant fashion. He is delightfully charming in the way he describes his homeland and I found myself laughing out loud as I read. It's his subtle humor that wakes you up and will keep me reading his other books...
Rating: 
Summary: Funny for an Anglophile
Review: Bill Bryson is a funny guy. And this book is hysterical in spots. However, I think I didn't get quite as much out of it as I could have because I don't really know all that much about Britain or the culture. I definitely missed out on some appreciation of the book. So if you're like me and don't have a great knowledge about the English, you might be better off with one of his books about the US and Americans. But for a certain audience, Notes from a Small Island is a great and fun read. Oh, one more thing. I could have done with about 75% less of the f-word. Sometimes it is well-placed and adds to the humor, but in spots it's a little gratuitous
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Summary: Interesting take on Blighty
Review: As I have stated before, I am not a Bill Bryson fan, unlike probably every other reader out there. So I come to this review with an admittedly jaundiced view. Notes from a Small Island is an okay book. But the things that I don't particulary like about Bryson's writing - how he can be so petty for the sake of forcing a laugh, his need to be cynical - are what lets this book down. Don't get me wrong, I like a bit of cynicism. But sometimes it just seems a bit forced with Bryson. This is Bryson's farewell story, as he travels around the British Isles (though not in one complete journey) before returning to the United States. Some of his insights are particularly clever (his reference to the 'Festival of Rubbish' is just so accurate - I am sure that most of you who have already read the book laughed at that point), and you get a feeling that Bryson really does care for his adopted home. But I found his never-ending details of his breakfasts and facilities boring (he is not a great food writer), and it sometimes feels like "It's Thursday, must be ..." as opposed to a good look at an interesting (or even boring) part of Britain. As another 'outsider' who has been in and out of the UK since the beginning of the year, there were some points in this book that struck me as being insightful comments on British culture. But they were hidden in a pretty average book.
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Summary: Truly laugh out loud funny look a England
Review: I really enjoyed Bryson's other book, "I'm a stranger here myself" which pokes fun at Americans. This one attmpts to clobber the British. the thing about Bryson is he has a way of making the mundane sound so exhilerating and hilarious that even his everyday foibles become reasons to laugh out loud. Even when he's laying the mockery on pretty thick, you get the sense it's all in good fun, and he truly respects the subject of his playful smiting. This book goes down like Nestle's Quick... I just devoured it. very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A Bryson disappointment
Review: After reading Sunburned Country, Stranger Here and Walk in the Woods, this book was an astounding disappointment. I expected the same sarcastic wit Bryson is famous for, but instead I found myself reading a depressing list of gloomy towns in the UK with unending descriptions of rain and fog and how the names of British towns and streets are more entertaining than those in the US. After reading this book, I could tell why this was not one of his more famous ones. If this had been the first book I read by Bryson, I may have enjoyed it, but from reading his other books, I came to expect from him more than the average author.
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Summary: Delightful read
Review: I brought this book, while touring UK on business. Bryson is clear in the fact that he loves Britain and this is one huge nostalgic trip he is taking before returning back to the US. The book has typical Bryson trademarks - witty, funny, racy with the odd insights, offbeat info which a traveller to the country would find useful. Even as i was touring britain, this book kept me company in the long (and fun) train journeys in the country. Do not miss to check this book, in case you have plans to visit UK or even if you have visited it. One special note i need to make is Bryson's lavishing praise on Durham. That's exactly the way i felt when i was passing by Durham on the way to Scotland. -raj
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Summary: True Brit
Review: As a Brit myself I read this book with a view to seeing the British character from another point of view. That's just what I got. An affectionate but honest portrayal of the best and worst of Britain and the British. I laughed outloud as I recognised myself, friends and other family members amongst the characters that Bryson meets along the way. Living in the States temporarily I read this book when I'm feeling particularly homesick because it's so accurate. Not a travel book so much as a book about the British themselves. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes to laugh at themselves ie most Brits.
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